Timothy L. Meaker, 62, will undergo a forensic examination at a downstate facility before returning to the 50th Circuit Court to face a murder charge in the August 2012 death of his cell mate, according to Deputy Jennifer France of the Chippewa County Public Defender’s Office.

In February, France had argued before Judge James Lambros of the 50th Circuit Court that her client should withdraw his plea. At that time, Meaker said he did not wish to pursue any sort of defense, speculating that it would entail a long day of meeting with a psychiatrist.

France, however, explained that it was necessary.

“It’s not just that he thinks he is crazy or says he is crazy,” she argued back in February, “there is documentation on file.”

After withholding judgement at the February court session, France explained, Judge Lambros came back earlier this week and stated on the record that, due to the nature of the case, he has to make sure Meaker is competent before moving forward with sentencing.

Meaker is currently serving life in prison after a Wayne County jury found him guilty of first-degree murder in the late 1970s. The latest charge stems from the slaying of Thomas C. Taborelli last summer in the Chippewa Correctional Facility which Meaker characterized as a fight that got out of hand.

France indicated there is no specific time table for the forensic exam, adding it will probably take a couple of weeks before Meaker is transported to the downstate facility and he will remain at that location until a determination is made.

“I have to determine if my client can assist me,” she explained of the importance of having a competency ruling from medical professionals before the case proceeds.

If determined to be competent, Meaker would appear before Judge Lambros for sentencing on the latest murder charge. If Meaker is found incompetent, Lambros would then consider France’s motion to withdraw the plea on behalf of her client.

With Meaker’s 1970s murder conviction, the eventual outcome will have little effect on his future as he has already serving life behind bars with the Michigan Department of Corrections.